After Philadelphia, it was Washington, then Baltimore, followed by Albany and Richmond. Every Saturday morning, Harvey would pick up Donna in his car, and the two of them would drive to a new city, spending two days living their couple life. When they were in big cities, they went to the cinema, nightclubs, or restaurants, with Harvey always finding something to do. In quieter, more remote places, they spent their days and nights under the sheets, talking and making love. As the weeks went by, if they thought the passion and excitement would wear off over time, they were surprised to find that nothing changed. On the contrary, the more comfortable they became with each other, the greater the sense of closeness that developed, further strengthening their feelings for one another. When they weren't spending weekends together, the two lovers went about their daily routines — Harvey at university and Donna juggling her studies and her job at Skadden. During the day, they exchanged tons of messages, FaceTiming in the mornings while they were getting ready at the same time and in the evenings for some sexy moments as both of them eagerly awaited Saturday mornings, when they could escape reality and be with each other again. On rare occasions, due to their heavy workloads, the couple stayed at their place for the weekend, just like today as they lay in bed, each with their laptop, Harvey heard Donna murmur.
«Hey?»
«Yeah?»
«What's a foreclosure? I have a client who mentioned it in their email»
«It's when a right is lost due to a person's inaction within a set timeframe. Unlike prescription, it's irreversible. For example, if a creditor doesn't claim their payment within the given time limit, their right can be foreclosed. You understand?»
«Harv?»
«Yeah»
«You're so sexy when you talk about law. It's making me horny»
«Then you should never come see me in court because I'm pretty sure you'll jump on me»
«For sure»
For a few seconds, the room fell silent again before Donna murmured,
«Doesn't it miss you too much?»
«Arguing in court?»
«Yeah»
«It does, but... well, I'm waiting. One day, I hope»
«I'm sure of it»
As he sighed, Donna's heart tightened. During their third weekend getaway, after exhausting each other with hours of pleasure, Harvey had shared some confessions about his new role as a professor and what had led him to this point. While Harvey's reaction didn't surprise Donna, it still saddened her to know that a part of his current life wasn't entirely fulfilling. As he lay on his stomach, hugging his pillow while typing on his laptop, Donna was sitting against the headboard, her laptop on her lap, gently caressing his bare back with her fingertips. For a few more minutes, they continued working in silence until Harvey's phone rang, and as he grabbed it to check who was calling, Donna felt a sudden rush of jealousy.
«Why is she calling you?»
«I don't know, wait — hello?»
«Harvey, hey. Am I interrupting?»
«No, not at all. What's up?»
«I don't know if you're aware, but there's a drink for the professors this month, and I wanted to know if you were going?»
«I didn't know about it, but when is it?»
«On the 18th»
«Alright, I'll think about it and let you know»
«Perfect. See you, Harvey»
«See you»
As soon as he hung up, he placed his phone on the nightstand with a sigh. For a few seconds, he tried to refocus on his computer, but as he could feel Donna's heated gaze on him, he realized what had just happened and turned abruptly to face the redhead, who muttered.
«You're kidding, right, Harvey?»
«What?»
«What? You're answering another woman while you're in bed with me, and you're asking what?»
«We were not having sex»
«What? You — I can't believe it»
Seeing her roll her eyes with an exasperated sigh and an annoyed expression on her face, he quickly shut his laptop and threw it on the floor before closing Donna's laptop and tossing it down as well. Then, he grabbed the redhead's thighs under the sheets and tugged, pulling her into a lying position as she gasped.
«What are you doing?»
«I'm making it up to you»
He started by placing kisses on her lips, her cheeks, and her neck before removing her top and kissing her cleavage and her stomach. As she gesticulated under him without stopping moaning, Harvey quickly removed her panties while she pulled on his boxers to indicate that she wanted him naked too. Once removed, he rubbed himself against her thigh a few times to make sure he was completely hard before pushing inside her, both of them moaning into each other's mouths. As they remained still for a few seconds, Harvey gently pushed himself on his arms, intertwining his fingers with Donna's to place all four hands above the redhead's head. Once in this position, he gently withdrew before pushing inside her with the same slowness, repeating the movement several times while looking at Donna under him. Eyes closed, mouth slightly open, moans escaping again and again with each thrust, Harvey could not help but pepper her face with soft kisses. As they got hotter and hotter, Harvey flipped them over, Donna finding herself on top of the lawyer as they resumed. For long minutes, the redhead gently undulated her lower body while Harvey accompanied her with his hands on her hips, both of them moaning together. As she began to tire, Donna placed both hands on the lawyer's wet chest, eyes still closed and mouth slightly open as their movements accelerated. When she felt that she was about to come, she placed one hand around Harvey's neck while he grabbed the other to intertwine their fingers, depositing kisses on the ring that had found its place a few weeks ago.
«Harv»
As he couldn't take it anymore, he flipped them over one more time, and after two more pushes, they both came together in a long moan muffled by their lips. For a few seconds they stayed like that in each other's arms, gasping for air, while Donna slid her hand into Harvey's hair, who held the redhead against him.
«I didn't know you were so jealous. I love it. Maybe I should answer more women when I'm in bed with you»
«Hey, don't even start» snorted Donna.
«I'm just kidding. I promise it won't happen again. Alright?»
«Alright»
As he pulled out of her slowly, they stayed in each other's arms for a few more minutes, cuddling, until Donna murmured.
«Does she call often?»
«Not really. I mean, she doesn't have much reason to call me either, so whenever it's something small like that, she tries»
«Harv, I know we said she'd be a cover, but I don't want her thinking she has a chance with you»
«She doesn't. Look, I told you, sometimes we grab lunch together when she suggests it, and I'm not able to say no, but that's it»
«So I don't need to worry about her?»
«No. You know you're the only one I —»
As he suddenly stopped, the words still a little too hard for him to say, Donna flipped them over, half lying on top of him before planting a tender kiss on his lips and whispering against them.
«I know»
For a few more minutes, they talked about everything and nothing, only stopping to kiss before the redhead interrupted.
«About Paula…»
«Donna» groaned Harvey while laughing.
«Are you going on the 18th?»
«To the professors' thing?»
«Yeah»
«No, I'm not»
«Harv, if it's for me, you don't have to —»
«Look, I've already planned something with you anyway»
«What?»
«Urgh, I wanted it to be a surprise»
«No way, now that you've started, you're finishing»
«Alright. Since we both have two days off in Colombia on the 17th and 18th because of President's Day, I was thinking that the Friday before, I could cancel my office hours, you'd ask Rachel to take notes for you in the morning class, and you could take the afternoon off from your boss. That way, we'd leave Thursday evening for a little vacation, just the two of us, and come back Wednesday morning so we're both back in time for the 10 a.m. class I'm teaching and that you're supposed to attend»
«Are you serious?»
«Very»
«But where are you taking me?»
«Surprise. It's to celebrate our six month anniversary»
Seeing Donna's big smile, Harvey couldn't help but kiss her passionately, Paula quickly forgotten in the minds of the two lovebirds who spent the rest of the day under the sheets. Days passed, and as the day of their grand departure approached, Donna couldn't wait to find out what their secret romantic getaway had in store for her. As Donna wrapped up her afternoon with one of Harvey's classes, she took her time packing her things, waiting for all the other students to leave so she could have a few moments alone with him. But just as she finished packing her bag and was about to head down the auditorium stairs, she froze when a blonde woman entered the room, walking straight toward the lawyer as Donna's blood ran cold.
«Harvey»
«Paula, hey»
Immediately, Harvey shot a quick glance toward Donna, tensing up as he realized the situation was as complicated as the redhead pretended to search for something in her bag while she listened intently to the conversation between the two professors.
«Have you thought about the 18th? Are you coming with me?»
«I'm sorry, Paula. Something came up, a last-minute family thing, and I have a train to Boston tonight. I won't be able to make it»
«Oh, no, I hope it's not too serious?»
«No, no, it's just... I need to go»
«I understand. But maybe another time? We could grab dinner when you get back?»
«Sure. Hum, I'll keep you posted»
«Of course. Well, I'll let you go, I think your students have questions about your class. See you»
«See you, Paula»
As the blonde exited the room, Donna descended the stairs, accompanied by Rachel, who had sensed the tension between the three of them. Aware of the secret relationship between Donna and Harvey, the brunette gave a quick nod to Harvey in greeting before heading to the door to keep watch, ready to alert her friend if anyone walked by and risked seeing them. At the same time, Donna approached Harvey, her designer bag — one he had bought her — slung over her shoulder and her laptop pressed against her chest as he looked at the lawyer and repeated, with a playful, overly exaggerated British accent.
«Oh, no, I hope it's not too serious?»
«Oh, come on. Stop. Don't do that» snorted Harvey.
«So, it's her. I didn't know you were into plain librarian types»
«Alright, first of all, even though I'll admit she's a bit plain, she's not a librarian — she's a psychology professor. And you know very well I'm only into sexy redhead legal secretaries who turned out to be my student. Second, stop being jealous. And third, is your suitcase packed?» smirked Harvey.
«Since yesterday»
«Perfect. I'll pick you up at five?»
«Sure»
«I can't wait» murmured Harvey with affection.
«Me neither»
After one last tender smile and wink, Donna left the auditorium, leaving Harvey behind to join Rachel. For a few moments, neither of the two women spoke, but as they descended the subway stairs, the redhead chuckled.
«You can talk, you know»
«Sorry, I just can't believe it. You're going on vacation with your professor»
«No, I'm going on vacation with my man»
«Yeah, well, excuse me, but the only times I see you two together are in the auditorium — him giving a lecture and you sitting next to me. I have a hard time imagining you two privately»
«And yet, if you knew what goes on privately, I think you wouldn't look at us the same way»
«Urgh, I don't wanna know. So, what's the plan? Did he tell you where you're going?»
«Yeah»
«Seriously? I thought he wanted it to be a surprise»
«Oh, please, we're talking about Harvey here. He kept telling me no, I took off my shirt, and he told me all his plans»
«Alright, forget about that — so?»
«Well, we're flying out of Philadelphia because we didn't want to risk running into anyone at JFK. Once we land in Miami, we'll drive to Islamorada, where Harvey's rented a gorgeous villa by the water with direct access, no neighbors around — so we can make as much noise as we want — and a jacuzzi surrounded by palms, just for the two of us. It's going to be amazing»
«I'm so jealous»
«I get it. I'll be too if it wasn't for me»
«Come on, hurry up, you're going to be late»
Twenty minutes later, Donna arrived home, quickly grabbed her things, and impatiently waited for Harvey, who sent her a message just ten minutes later to let her know he was waiting downstairs. As soon as she got in the car, her heart raced at the sight of him behind the wheel of his sports car, that arrogant smile on his face, and those loving eyes, as it was a sight she saw every week, but it still made her heart skip a beat. After nearly an hour and a half on the road, they arrived at the airport. After parking the car, checking their bags, passing through security, and waiting at the gate, they finally found themselves sitting in first class on the plane. Three hours later, they landed in Miami, picked up the rental car Harvey had arranged, and drove to the villa. Once inside, she gasped at her surroundings —the kind of princess lifestyle Donna still wasn't entirely accustomed to, even after six months of dating the lawyer.
«Harvey, it's gorgeous»
«I'm glad you like it. Come on, I'm heating up the jacuzzi, and I want to see you ready in ten minutes in your swimsuit»
«Or without?» smirked Donna.
«Even better»
As agreed, she showed up with a white bathrobe next to the jacuzzi while Harvey was already in it — naked, his clothes scattered everywhere. While he looked at her with envy, she took her time to remove the clothes, revealing her perfect body that made the lawyer hard no matter how many times he had seen it. Once in the water, they spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the bubbles, talking about everything and nothing, drifting to light-hearted topics, sharing laughs and moments of closeness, both enjoying each other's company as they sipped champagne. Later, they got out of the jacuzzi, the warmth of the water giving way to the soothing feeling of a shower together before they fell asleep in each other's arms, content and happy, ready to enjoy their getaway in this little slice of paradise. For nearly four days, they woke up peacefully, made love lazily, and then enjoyed the pool, the ocean, and the jacuzzi, spending their days lounging under the sun — Harvey applying sunscreen every hour on his girlfriend after reading an article about redhead skin — while chatting about everything and nothing. In the evenings, they went to dinner together, enjoying romantic meals before heading out to a nightclub where they danced until the early hours, often a little tipsy, falling asleep in each other's arms as the lawyer felt like a teenager, caught up in the carefree joy of their time together. On the last day, as their sweaty, panting bodies lay next to each other, Donna rolled over to lie half on top of Harvey and whisper.
«Thank you. This is perfect»
«You are perfect, Donna. You have no idea how much having you in my life calms me and makes me happy. When I'm by your side, I finally feel loved and appreciated for who I am, no longer alone, like I want to live my life. Every new experience with you makes me realize that before, I wasn't really living, but now you're here, and everything is always perfect — beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. It's you who's perfect»
Without responding, she kissed him gently, trying to show him just how much she loved him through the gesture. But as she slowly pulled away, their faces barely an inch apart, Donna softly caressed his jawline and chin with her thumb, never expecting to hear what came next as the lawyer murmured these few words, almost in a sigh.
«I love you»
As she froze for a fraction of a second, still surprised by his words, she then kissed him again, pressing her lips to his in a soft, lingering kiss as she murmured in return.
«I love you too»
She knew how difficult those words had been for him, and she had never blamed him for taking so long to say them. Deep down, she understood that in the way he looked at her, in his gestures, and in the little things he did for her, he had always tried to show her. And today, now that he had finally found the courage to say them out loud, she couldn't help but feel nothing but happiness for him. It meant that he was finally ready to let go, to trust her with something that terrified him. It meant that, for once, he realized he was enough — no more, no less. She understood how hard it had been for him to reach that conclusion, how often his doubts had held him back, but today, he was here with her, open and honest. She smiled softly, cherishing the moment, knowing that every word, every gesture that had led up to this had been just as precious. That night, they made love passionately, whispering countless «I love yous» against each other's skin while the dynamic of their relationship shifted. They had finally put into words what they had always felt: that what they shared was something greater than themselves. They were more than just a couple, they were now the center of each other's universe because they loved each other. They loved each other in a way they had never loved anyone before. They were crazy for each other.